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SEED DISPERSAL AND GERMINATION OF THE EPIPHYTE TILLANDSIA BRACHYCAULOS (BROMELIACEAE) IN A TROPICAL DRY FOREST, MEXICO
- Source :
- The Southwestern Naturalist. 51:462-470
- Publication Year :
- 2006
- Publisher :
- Southwestern Association of Naturalists, 2006.
-
Abstract
- A crucial need for population maintenance of epiphytic species is the location of suitable microsites on a host tree. Quantitative evaluation of epiphyte seed dispersal and germination is needed to more fully understand successful host colonization; this process is especially important in dry forests, where drought and oligotrophy diminish population growth rates. In a 3-year field experiment, we evaluated seed dispersal and germination of Tillandsia brachycaulos and explored some environmental factors affecting these life-cycle phases. There was significant variation in dispersal curves depending on year and height of seed release. Forty-one percent of seeds experimentally released were not dispersed and only ca. 0.5% of dispersed seeds were captured in seed traps. The number of trapped seeds decreased with distance; most seeds were captured within 1.5 m of the seed source. Seeds dispersed farther (15 m) when released from greater heights. Seed germination under controlled conditions (98%) was h...
Details
- ISSN :
- 00384909
- Volume :
- 51
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- The Southwestern Naturalist
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi...........e735fc66a5da409a13b20c756d4cc66c